Derrel Johnson, a 28-year veteran of the Monroe Police Force, hugs the son of friend and police chaplain Brad Moore at the Monroe Fair Days Parade, which Johnson has helped organize for years.Photo Courtesy of the Monroe Police Department

By Polly Keary, Editor

Twenty-eight years ago, the phone rang twice, and the second call changed Derrel Johnson’s life.

He’d been a wild young man, even though he knew he liked the idea of being a cop ever since he got to ride along in his brother-in-law’s command car as a teen.

But 30 found him working two jobs, married with two kids and a third on the way. Tired of milking cows and landscaping for a living, he confessed his dream of being a police officer to Lynn, his wife of nine years.

When he got home the next day, Lynn handed him the application for the police force and told him she’d made an appointment for him to talk to the police chief.

“The rest is up to you,” she told him.

He filled out the application and went and saw the chief, but wasn’t sure it would work out. He knew Boeing might offer him a job, too, and that would be more money.

So when the phone rang, and Boeing offered him a good job, he took it. But when he put the phone in the cradle, it rang again. It was Police Chief John Hovde, offering him a job as a reserve officer. There was no question, he said, of which job to take.

“He knows everyone”

Johnson is retiring at the end of December. Co-workers say he’s been one of the most highly respected officers ever to serve the city.Photo courtesy of the Monroe Police Department

Johnson will retire at the end of the month, and to this day he is glad he turned down the money at Boeing and took the job as a police officer and, in that, he is not alone. By all accounts, Johnson became one of the most respected officers ever to serve in Monroe, and his retirement will mark the end of an era for the community.

Johnson came to like the idea of police work in part because of how the officers he knew treated him as a young person.

“I got to watch some of the officers when I was young, and I remembered the interest they took in me as a youth,” said Johnson Friday at the Monroe Police Department, a bit reluctant about getting attention from the newspaper, but clearly enjoying the memory of the beginning of it all. “I wanted to live and work in the community. I had the belief that you could make a difference. And I wanted to be part of it.”

Hovde wanted to see how Johnson did as a reserve officer before putting him on full-time, so he sent Johnson to the reserve academy in early 1986. Johnson worked weekends and took all the training he could, making sure that police work really was what he wanted to do.

Two years later, he was sure. He tested, passed, and was first on the list to get hired.

Many police officers are motivated to seek the career from a desire to lock up bad guys, but that wasn’t all that interested Johnson. His roots in the community ran deep. His family emigrated from Sweden in 1917 and settled in the Wagner area. His father had been the area’s first Fuller Brush man. He grew up in the Park Place neighborhood, played basketball in high school, and graduated in 1973.

“Because he grew up here he knows everybody, and everybody knows him,” said coworker Deb Willis, spokesperson for the police department. “He’s probably the best community officer we have. He’s well known for checking on elderly people. He knows where they live and stops in to make sure they are okay. It’s not required of an officer, but because he has a heart for the community, he takes it on himself to do those things.”

Knowing everyone made Johnson the right guy for the hard jobs, too.

“There’s nights when I have to go to someone’s house and tell someone that their child isn’t coming home,” he said. “But I’ve learned that it’s better if I’m the one that walks in the door. At least it’s someone they know.”

Johnson was sensitive to people down on their luck, too.

“Derrel is a true community police officer,” said Chief Tim Quenzer at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where he recognized Johnson for his service. “When someone needed food, gas, etc., he provided out of his own pocket…He made it a point of showing up at our schools to interact with our young people.”

The values Johnson learned from his father served him well, Johnson said.

“My dad taught me a long time ago when you are called to do something, you do it,” he said. “And always be honest, even to your own demise. Say what you mean and mean what you say.”

Johnson also respected the dignity even of the people he was arresting and their families.

“You still have to treat them with the utmost respect. They are in a crisis; you have to treat them with respect and dignity, and leave them with a little bit of pride even if you have to arrest them,” he said. “You have to be firm, consistent and fair.”

Police work can be tough on a person, but Johnson found strength in his church. That’s what led him to work with long-serving nun Sister Barbara, who had been acting as a police chaplain for some time, to expand the chaplain program. Today there are seven chaplains involved.

Johnson also held the role of field training officer for 22 years, meaning he trained or supervised every officer currently working in Monroe, with the exception of one. And he stayed involved in the community, organizing the Monroe Fair Days Parade every year. Last year, he was named its Grand Marshall.

“It’s been really good”

He’s loved his career as a police officer but it’s time to step away, he said.

His last day, he will invite former officer Chuck Myers to ride with him; Myers rode with him on his first day.

“He had a lot of guts and a lot of common sense and it left an incredible impression on me as a young man,” said Johnson. “He’s still working for the county and the jail. He told me, ‘Young man, I’ll be working long after you’re retired.’ And I called him and reminded him he said that, and I told him, ‘You’re a man of your word.’ And I said, ‘I want you to come ride with me my last day.’ And he was stunned.”

After that Johnson plans to recover from late nights and bad food and the heavy weight of a gun belt screwing up his back. He’s going to take some time and build his health up, and he’s going to train his new puppy, Buddy, and volunteer through his church and fix stuff up around the house.

“I’m going to spend time in Montana with a friend of mine and go and do whatever I please,” he said with a smile.

But, he said, he is grateful for the time he has worked in a good community, and for the department he’s helped to shape.

“It’s been really good,” he said. “I hope every officer here can walk away with the same feeling I have. I hope every officer can have this satisfaction.”

28 comments

Congratulations to Officer Johnson and 28 years of service to Monroe. Officer Johnson is the bridge between Little Monroe and Larger Monroe. Officer Johnson is a very good example of a great public servant, he gave his youth and best working years to Monroe and the community. He leads by example, he loves his job and trains other Officers. Those are big shoes that will need to be filled. Good luck in retirement, Officer Johnson.

He will be missed on the streets of Monroe BUT so many of us that grew up with him are so happy that he succeeded and lived to see the end of his career and all through it, he held his head up high and treated the badge with respect. Thank you for your service, you will never know how much you are appreciated.

I’ve know Derrel Johnson most of my life, we were classmates. When I lost my daughter Brandi he was there to talk to me encouraging me to not give up the fight. He took the time to care! I wish to thank him for all he has given to the community, enjoy you retirement Badge 1210.

Awww thanks for nearly three decades of taking care of our town Derrel, you are an amazing man. You will be missed on our streets but I am so happy you get to enjoy all the fun things you have planned.

Congraduation on a great career Sgt…I remember playing baseball with you back in High School. WOW…where did all the years go??? I pray that God will continue to bless and keep you and your family safe and strong in the “GOOD FIGHT”.

Derrel, congratulations on your retirement. You were a good officer and Monroe will be losing a good man. Known you since we were kids and consider you a good friend. Wish you all the best and happy retirement. If you are ever going through Idaho give me a holler. Your friend Ken Peterson.

Ive known Darrel since I was a kid. He is one of the most genuine, caring officers that monroe pd had on their department. Darrel you will be sadly missed, but yahooo ..time to enjoy retirement buddy. Take up a good hobby and spend as much time with the family. Congrats Darrel!!

I met Derrel in the 6th grade. We became close friends at once. We had so much fun even though some of it was typical pranks and so on. Once Derrel became a police officer he told me’Kenny there are no places for those wild kids to hide because they still use our old hiding places. Derrel I am proud of you, I hope you enjoy your future.

I’ve known Derrel since little league baseball, hell of a pitcher and a great guy! Probably not much of a pitcher now but still a great guy! After all these years I’ve never heard a bad word about Derrel. One of my favorite people of all times. Fish on!

Thank you Derrel for your years of service to the City of Monroe. We will miss you driving by and stopping to chat while on duty. Enjoy your retirement, may it be long and enjoyable my friend. You’ve done us proud as a community son, police officer and member through dedication, compassion an professional courtesy.

Hey Derrel – Congratulations from an old family friend…..Spent a lot of time stirring up trouble as kids with you and your family (mostly the twins) …. Lots of good memories. Enjoy retirement…It’s a great life…..Joe

Congratulations Derrel. I will always appreciate how much you have always cared about the people of this town. Always giving so much of yourself. My dad thought the world of you, and so appreciated the times you stopped by. The town is losing a great officer. You are a caring and compassionate man. Wishing the very best for you and your family. And Katie will be stopping by for that Pb&j white bread crust removed

Congrats Derrel on your retirement. I hope you enjoy your travels and what ever comes your way. You will be missed. I know my Mom would have been very happy for you. You definitely deserve it. Thank you for your service.

Knew you all thru school. Recently helped greatly with a “teen housemate”. Was so grateful to just pick up the phone and call-you always answered or got back. I Remember you and Ray playing baseball. You were and will always be a great guy. The city is truly losing a community icon. You were Monroe’s familiar face at all kinds of events for so many years. Everyone wishes you the best in your next lives endeavor. Stay we’ll
-live a long and happy life-you have more than earned it. Thanks for your dedicated service-it was greatly appreciated!

Sounds like you’ve got a plan for what God has given you to do in your next career. I just want you to know how proud I am to have known you, and that doing what you love is never work. Thank You so much for your service and the way you performed it.

Derrel, my family is so proud of your career and all you have done for the citizens of Monroe. Who would have guessed that that young prankster would have turned into such an outstanding servant. I am told you watch out for all of the elderly in Monroe and am so pleased about that. You will be missed by so many but I am sure that you have something else up your sleeve to keep you busy. I remember you bringing my mom frogs that you had caught to cut up and fry for you. I doubt she would have done that for anyone else! Also you took down my dads American flag from his flagpole and replaced it with a new one that had a skull and cross bones that said “ye ole Jolly Morgan”. Ha! Mom talks about you all the time Derrel. Lets get the two of you together sometime!